Thursday, March 8, 2012

Three Things Thursday ...

Patience - I like to think that I have an abundance of patience. I'm not one to care if someone cuts me off. It doesn't bother me if someone who showed up later than me gets called first. Basically, I don't sweat the small stuff. And when it comes to parenting, I am usually the one saying, "Why are you getting so worked up? They are only little kids."

The thing is, when J is traveling (which is pretty much everyday recently), those little kids eat away at my last nerve. I simply can not take their meandering and lack of follow through. When I say something, I want it listened to and followed. No questions asked.

But that never happens. Not even once. It drives me insane.

Honestly, I have a completely different demeanor when I am solo parenting. I'm short and harsh and I really feel bad for my kids. I usually find myself yelling at them one minute, then apologizing for losing my cool the next. And the thing is, when I am freaking out on them, I am fully aware of how psycho I sound and in my head I am telling myself to stop being such an a**. It's just that once the verbal vomit has begun, I can't get it to stop.

I'm pretty sure I have Parenting Bi-Polar Disease.

Cuteness - Fortunately for my kids, they were blessed with an abundance of cuteness. It's probably the only thing that saves them from my psycho rants. Seriously. I mean, how you could stay mad at someone who looks like this?


Punches - No lie. Despite that picture above, in the 15 minutes that I have been writing this post, I have wanted to punch someone in the face about 6,845 times. Apparently, my children have no concept of what the word CALM means. Or quiet. Or don't hurt your sister.

It's going to be a long day ...


18 comments:

Trinity said...

Would it help to say that we've all been there? I know that my patience can go to crap with just one missed workout or too many outings. That's when I suck it up and find one thing to let them destroy or flood, even if it's just an old shirt or bag of rice. That generally satisfies the beasts momentarily. :P

carrie said...

I SO feel your pain. My hubby is a chef and is gone all.the.time! My boys bounce off the walls and drive me CRAZY!!! Take comfort in knowing you are not alone!!!

Pining for Pinterest said...

WOW!! You just summed up my parenting too when my husband is away! Seriously I always feel bad.

Running Ricig said...

I saw those pictures on Facebook yesterday, so cute!

Obviously, I don't have kids, but I feel for you!

Emz said...

focus on the cuteness.

focus. focus.......

then, maybe look into a punching bag?! ;) stress balls [seriously who do those work for?]

Anonymous said...

I completely hear you on this one - I've been a "single mom" since November since my husband is working in Seattle now and we're still in Michigan. Yes, I only have 1 toddler but it is a lot to handle. And being the only one, there's no one there to have your back or turn to. Totally understand - hope your day gets better!!

Anonymous said...

As a full time single Mom I can tell you that I hear you. I try to learn to pick my battles. And of course focus on how cute he is and that he's only 4 and doesn't mean it, blah, blah. LOL! It's tough. Chin up!

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

that's what I tell my kids. Lucky you are cute or you would have been sold to the gypsies a long time ago. Mine have been up since 5. Long day and it's only 8:30!

Good luck today!

We Are Marshall said...

I'm new to your blog and I REALLY needed to read this post today. Its reassuring to know I'm not alone! My husband is gone about 3-4 days per week and I have young munchkins (almost 3 and 10mths). No one is ever happy or sleeping at the same time. Luckily mine have the cute factor too, haha! Thanks for being so open on your blog!!

ltlindian said...

We all feel this way. I don't know about you but my middle child is going to be the death of me. (or her.)

I feel like I am a broken record:

drew put your boots on.
drew put your boots on.
drew put your boots on.

get dressed.
get dressed.
get dressed.

You get the idea. We are all in the same boat.

Marlene said...

I don't know how you do it, honestly. I need to develop a heck of a lot more patience before I contemplate children.

workout mommy said...

I feel your pain! at the end of the day I am so DONE I find myself telling the kids that. Instead of "sweet dreams" it's "Mommy is DONE! GO to bed!!"

Nice, huh? ;)

Jason said...

Can I say that my day has been made going from Katie's post to yours. So refreshing and real.....thank you.

And it is not bi-polar parenting disorder it is called parenting.

I did the same thing to Chico today because he started piddling and we had to go. I had to get him to school and had no time to waste and I controlled myself as best I can but told him he was going to lose one of his rewards if it took him more than 10 seconds to get to the front door.

Ahhhhh......but we made up in the car and I gave him a big hug and kiss and off he went to school......parenting!!!!!

Unknown said...

Welcome to mommyhood ... I feel like this daily!

christy said...

I could have written this post! Nice to know I'm not alone.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Solo parenting brings out the best and the worst in us. Let's just hope the scales tip towards the best side more often than not.

good luck

Molly said...

for a second there I thought snow white had a bra on her head, which made me laugh. : )

Running Backwards in High Heels said...

Last week, while hiding from a tornado with my mom, she commented on how I had done nothing but yell at my kids the whole time we were cramped in the basement- then yesterday? She said she understood why I yelled all the time. I definitely have Parenting Bi-Polar Disease. It's got to be a real thing, right?